Student success at college is not just achieving high grades The National Forum for Teaching and Learning defines student success as the process by which students fulfil their potential and flourish at college and in society. This is a broader activity than simply achieving high grades. Psychosocial competencies are core to the definition of student success: these are the ‘soft skills’ or ‘non-cognitive skills’ that enable students to cope well with learning challenges, engage deeply in learning, and develop their identities as learners and as active citizens. Transitions are a key issue within this priority area, with transitions such as the move from school to college presenting both challenges and opportunities for students.
About this initiative
SATLE 2020 has provided Munster Technological University (MTU), Ireland’s newest technological university with an opportunity to capitalise on the significant successes of the two previous institutions. Since 2014, both Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) and Institute of Technology Tralee (ITT) have developed many Institute-wide T&L initiatives designed to enhance the educational experience of students and the professional development of staff. Specifically, we have supported projects across multiple departments, schools and faculties with over 170 education-based development projects funded since 2015. These initiatives have resulted in 27 Learning Communities (LC) across 35 departments. At the request of the joint Registrars, the Teaching and Learning Unit (TLU) issued a T&L SATLE 2020 Fund call for T&L enhancement project submissions from any recognised LC based entity (or equivalent) that addresses the key strategic themes as laid out in national policy documents, the NF SATLE 2020 Fund guidelines and MTU’s Teaching, Learning, Assessment and Student Engagement (TLASE) agenda. We received 44 individual submissions, each on has been reviewed by at least 3 external T&L experts from Ireland, Europe and America using a supplied rubric and scoring scheme. Criteria used to assess submissions included impact on students and staff; project quality, achievability, value for money and sustainability. The top 20 projects have been offered funding. The approach builds on the successful delivery of our SATLE 2019 initiative, and the strong praise received from the interim review panel in March 2021, in which 14 projects were supported in a similar way. Our strategy has the full approval of the University Executive Board.
Lead organisations
Affiliated organisations
Linked open educational resources
Initiative details
Funding programmes SATLE
Themes Student Success
Award year
2020Funding amount (€)
190000Contributors
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